Top 10 Bronchiectasis Stories of 2017

A number of important discoveries, therapeutic developments, and events related to bronchiectasis were reported by Bronchiectasis News Today in 2017. Now that the year is over, it is time to briefly review the stories that appealed most to our readers.

Here are the 10 most-read articles of 2017, with a brief description of what made them interesting and relevant to bronchiectasis patients, family members, and caregivers.

Turkish researchers have identified key factors that can contribute to the high mortality rates associated with non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis. According to the study results, older age, presence of secondary disorders, reduced partial oxygen pressure, pulmonary hypertension, and presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection can increase the mortality risk of patients with bronchiectasis.

P. aeruginosa is a microorganism that can cause serious chronic lung infections in patients with CF and non-CF bronchiectasis. Results of a research study have shown that although these diseases have different causes and progression course, the bacterium undergoes similar adaptation mechanisms in the lungs of both groups of patients. Better understanding of these mechanisms may help develop improved therapies to tackle P. aeruginosa infections.

An international research team has developed a new prognostic tool for patients with bronchiectasis. The new E-FACED score is an updated version of the existing FACED score, which takes into account a lung function measurement, age, chronic P. aeruginosa infection, the number of lung lobes affected, and presence of symptoms of shortness of breath. By adding to FACED score information on the number and severity of bronchiectasis exacerbations, the E-FACE score can significantly increase the capacity to predict future yearly exacerbations while maintaining the score’s simplicity and prognostic capacity for death.

Two clinical trials, RESPIRE 1 (NCT01764841) and RESPIRE 2 (NCT02106832), sponsored by Bayer, tested the potential of ciprofloxacin Dry Powder for Inhalation (ciprofloxacin DPI) to reduce exacerbations in non-CF bronchiectasis patients with chronic lung infections. Preliminary results showed that the investigative therapy, administrated to patients in a 28-days-on, 28-days-off treatment regimen, could increase the time to the first pulmonary exacerbation of bronchiectasis from 186 days (placebo group) to 336 days.

Aradigm and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have met to discuss the Phase 3 clinical data of Linhaliq (ciprofloxacin) to advance the drug’s development and obtain its marketing authorization and approval. The two Phase 3 studies, ORBIT-3 (NCT01515007) and ORBIT-4 (NCT02104245), showed that the drug could increase the median time to first pulmonary exacerbation in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis compared to a placebo. Also, treatment with Linhaliq decreased the number of pulmonary exacerbations during the study period.

A research study demonstrated that the FACED score is an accurate tool to predict bronchiectasis outcome and disease progression. The score was found to predict all-cause and respiratory mortality with 81% and 82% accuracy, and more severe exacerbations (meaning at least one hospitalization per year) with 82% accuracy. FACED also was shown to have the power to predict with 78% accuracy which patients were more susceptible to have at least two exacerbations or one hospitalization per year.

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is the most common infection caused by opportunistic non-tuberculous mycobacteria that can affect patients with lung diseases, including bronchiectatic and cystic fibrosis. MAC-infected patients, in the majority of cases, are asymptomatic; but in the long run MAC infection can lead to irreversible deterioration of the lungs. According to results of a Korean study, patients with MAC lung disease should be better monitored with computed tomography (CT) scans to accurately manage the infection and disease progression.

Trudell Medical International announced that its Aerobika device for airway maintenance therapy can be beneficial for patients with non-CF bronchiectasis. The use of this drug-free, hand-held device was shown to significantly improve patients’ ventilation function after three weeks, with no adverse effects. Aerobika use also induced a clinically significant reduction in exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), who frequently develop bronchiectasis.

Results from a study conducted by British and Spanish research teams have shown that an antibody test might be a better way than the currently used sputum sampling to diagnose chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection among patients with bronchiectasis. The use of a simple blood test was found to be more sensitive to detect P. aeruginosa infection than the common sputum analysis, being able to identify infected patients who had not met the criteria for chronic infection in a previous sputum test.

Patients with bronchiectasis and chronic P. aeruginosa lung infections have high levels of specific inhibitory antibodies in the blood. Removal of these antibodies from the bloodstream by a method called plasmapheresis was shown to improve disease symptoms and well-being, while promoting greater independence and improved mobility in two patients. Plasmapheresis requires the removal and antibody clearance of blood plasma of the patients, which is then returned to the body.

Bronchiectasis News Today hopes the news reports coming your way throughout 2018 will contribute to educating, informing, and improving the lives of patients living with bronchiectasis.

5 comments

There is an inhaled antibiotic that totally removed my pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, using it every 28 days off and 28 days on. But the company would rather gouge the public for $8600 a month!!! My insurance would only pay $2500, leaving me with a balance not many could pay, certainly not me. Its a perfect example why we need price controls for life saving medications. I was able to prove how poor I am, so along with a lot of input from my Dr. the drug manufacturer approved my Patient Assistance. But it took 2 months and then again at the first of 2018 I’m forced to prove elibility again. Growl, but the medication is so important to me and anyone else with similar lung infection.

Disclaimer:

Bronchiectasis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Pin It on Pinterest

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. We never use your cookies for creepy ad retargeting that follows you around the web. OkRead more